NEWS
WWW.GUILFORDIAN.COM
Controversial new election laws suppress Democrat voters, opponents say
NORTH CAROLINIANS RILED
UP OVER RECENT CHANGES
TO STATE VOTER ID LAWS
BY BRYAN DOOLEY
Diversity Coordikator & SEWtm Writer
Throughout American history, debate
has raged over which citizens have the
right to vote. This debate has spawned
some of the most famous and interesting
quotes, from Patrick Henry's "No taxation
without representation," to conservative
talk show host Rush Limbaugh's "More
people vote in 'American Idol' than in any
U.S. election."
More quotes will likely come from North
Carolina voters now that Governor Pat
McCrory has signed new election laws for
the state.
These laws demonstrate the pervasiveness
of the Republican preoccupation with voter
fraud rather than with making it easier to
vote.
"Our biggest problem is a lot of people
who should vote, don't," said Maria
Rosales, associate professor of political
science. "Yet politicians in Raleigh are more
concerned with the small number of people
who vote, instead of the many people who
should vote but don't."
The new law ends straight-ticket voting,
reduces the amount of early voting days
from 17 to 10, ends pre-registration for 16-
and 17-year-olds and, most controversially,
requires a state-issued photo identification.
The full law will not take effect for another
two election cycles.
The law already sparks discontent and
has been challenged by two civil rights
groups — the NAACP and the Southern
Coalition for Social Justice — as well as by
the Department of Justice.
"You can probably count the number
of voting fraud cases on one hand," said
Robert Duncan, visiting assistant professor
of political science. "This law really is
an attempt to limit the political voices
of minorities, the elderly, and college
students — in effect, to disenfranchise the
Democratic Party base."
Bob Williams, professor of economics,
expressed a similar opinion.
"This is voter suppression," said
Williams. "All these reforms make it harder
for those identified as Democrats to vote.
"Interestingly, what they are doing is
contrary to conservative values. This is
more government intervention where there
is no problem."
Changing voting laws is often done by
the party in power, whether Republican or
Democrat, in an attempt to stay in power.
"Throughout our history, parties have
used changes in voting laws as a way
to seek partisan advantage while also
asserting a principled argument," said Kyle
Dell, associate professor of political science,
in an email interview. "Very rarely do you
see a party backing a change in voting laws
that the party does not believe would help
them at the ballot box."
Isela Gutierrez-Gunter, research associate
and Latino outreach coordinator, provides
an example.
"All voting laws are partisan, and
designed to maintain power," said
Gutierrez-Gunter. "For example, in 2010 the
Republicans gained a great deal of power in
the state and took advantage of the fact that
it was a redistricting year. They also undid
some changes that the Democrats made to
the absentee ballot procedure.
"Republicans are good at getting the
old people to vote by absentee ballot,
so Democrats made the form more
complicated and less accessible. With the
Republicans in power, it is now easier to
vote by absentee ballot."
Williams analyzes the conservatives'
motivation behind the new laws.
"Studies have shown that during early
voting days, the Republicans do most
of the voting during the first few days,"
said Williams. "In the last few days, that
switches to Democrats. (Republicans)
eliminated those last days."
Limiting the days to vote and other
aspects of the new law makes it harder
for college students to vote, but it is not
impossible.
"Out-of-state voters should get a North
Carolina photo ID at the address they are
living at in 2014," said Gutierrez-Gunter.
"They should update their registration
every time they move, including on
campus, because sometimes the precincts
change. Or voters can start practicing
now, with the new absentee ballot process,
because it does not require a photo ID."
Former student body president Tim
Leisman '13 encourages students to get
involved in the movement to change the
law.
"Get out there, vote, make your voice
heard," said Leisman in an email interview.
"Get into the Moral Mondays movement,
and write to Congressperson Howard
Coble, Representative Marcus Brandon
and others who represent our district. They
need to know we are agitated."
Students can also join non-profit
organizations that push for voting rights.
"One of our most important rights as
American citizens is our voting right,"
said Sarah Dreier-Kasik, president of
the Center for Continuing Education
Student Government Association.
"Our choices determine our future."
SENATE Update
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This Week's
Developments
Jeff Jeske called attention to Guilford’s decision to stop offering public
transportation to die Bryan Series. Parker Hurley and members of
Trans*Action updated students on their efforts this semester. Students
participated in another general discussion about APSA. PPS scholars
came to Senate be a part of the discussion. Students were encouraged
to email President Chabotar (chabotar@guilford.edu) and the APSA
committee (apsa@guilford.edu) to ask for a three-week extension on
the deadline for community feedback.
Next Week's
Plans
Students will be encouraged to help decide whether the rollover funds
should be reappropriated to bolster the current state of the academic
fund as well as the general fund.Jada Drew and Jorge Zeballos may
also come to give an update
Contact Us
We need to hear your voice. Have an idea? Concern? Great recipe^ It’s
important to us.
Questions? Email: senate@guilford.edu or visit
http://guilfordsenate.wordpress.com
Compiled by Samir Hazboun, Community Senate President
Information for on-campus January term
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